Eyes on Jesus, get out of the boat.

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching the blog archives for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, where I introduce myself and the blog. As you read, I encourage you to record any reflections or comments you may have, for the entries here serve best as the first remarks in a conversation.

Blessings and best wishes,
Dr. Will

Friday, June 4, 2010
Devotions: Ps 40, 51, 54; Eccles 5:1-7; Gal 3:15-22; Mt 14:22-36

I wait for You, Lord, and when You hear me, You set me on solid ground. You put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Blessed are all who trust in YHWH, and shun false idols. You have given me an open ear and a hungry heart. I delight to do Your will, my God; You have written Your law on my heart. I rejoice to tell the glad news of deliverance. Lord, don’t withhold Your mercy from me; let Your steadfast love and faithfulness preserve me. For evils surround me; even my employers plot to do me harm. Let them who do this be appalled and ashamed. I leave them to Your judgment and mercy. I will always tell of Your faithfulness and Your salvation. Lord, have mercy on me, and keep me with Your love and faithfulness. I get buried in my sins and in my folly, so hurry to deliver me, I pray. May all who seek You find You, my Deliverer! God, have mercy on me, by Your mercy and love. Blot out my transgressions, and cleanse me thoroughly from the stain of my sins and transgressions. I know you desire truth and integrity, so wash me and fill me with You joy and gladness. Create a clean heart within me, a new and upright spirit, and keep me in Your presence. Restore to me the joy of salvation, Lord; uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will serve You gladly, and bring sinners to You; help me sing of Your deliverance. Open my lips and my mouth will show forth Your praise; You desire a broken spirit and contrite heart: Lord, here are mine! Ruthless men seek to harm me; they have no concern for Your will. Deliver me, and let me look in triumph on my enemies.

When you go to God’s house, be alert. Listen carefully. Watch what you say; keep control of your heart—no impatience or imprudence in God’s presence! Fear God, and leave aside empty dreams and vain words.

Once a will has been ratified, it stands—no additions, no changes, no deletions. God’s promises were to Abraham and his offspring—singular. This refers to the Messiah. And the law, which came 430 years after the covenant with Abraham, does not change or void God’s promise. The inheritance pertains to God’s covenant promise, not to the written law. So why do we have the law? It was added because of sins, until the Offspring should come to Whom God made the promise. It was ordained by angels through an intermediary. Does the law, then, oppose God’s promises. Of course not. [The two have different domains.] If a law could give life, then righteousness would indeed result from obeying the law. But the scripture consigned all things to sin, so that what was promised to faith in Jesus the Messiah might be given to those who believe in and through Him.

After feeding the 5000, Jesus directed the disciples into the boat, and sent them off across the Sea of Galilee. Then He dismissed the crowds, and then went up on the mountain to pray alone. When evening came, the boat was many furlongs from the shore, and Jesus was on the mountain alone. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus approached them, walking on the water. At first, the disciples were terrified, thinking they were seeing a gohast. But Jesus spoke: ‘Take heart, I Am; don’t be afraid.’ Peter answered Jesus: ‘Lord, if it is You, bid me to come to You on the sea!’ And Jesus said, ‘Come.’ Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and approached Jesus. But when Peter’s attention turned to the wind, he was afraid and began to sink; he cried out ‘Lord, save me!’ And Jesus reached out His hand and caught Peter, saying, ‘Man of little faith, why did you doubt?’ When the two got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Jesus, saying ‘Truly You Are the Son of God.’ They completed their crossing to Gennesaret. When the residents recognized Jesus, they rounded up all that were sick in their region, and besought Jesus—that they might only touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were made well.